Iran’s Alipour snatches bronze at 2026 World Weightlifting Championships

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ali Alipour secured a bronze medal at the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships on Wednesday, earning a place on the podium in the men’s 95kg category.

India and Iran explore cooperation to develop cricket in Iran

TEHRAN - Indian Ambassador Vishwesh Negi met Iran Cricket Association President Mehdi Maskani as both sides discuss technical assistance and the development of cricket in Iran.

AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27: Naegohyang beat Bam Khatoon

TEHRAN - Defending champions Naegohyang Women’s FC closed in on the quarter-finals after cruising 6-1 past Bam Khatoon in their AFC Women’s Champions League 2026/27 Group A tie on Wednesday.

Esteghlal coach Bakhtiarizadeh happy with win over Al Shamal

TEHRAN - Head coach Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh praised Esteghlal’s second half performance after Jasir Asani struck in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win over Al Shamal SC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 on Tuesday.

Iran’s girls’ futsal secure historic berth at Youth Olympics semis

TEHRAN - Iran’s U18 women’s futsal team have booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games after producing a remarkable comeback to defeat Cameroon 5-3 in their second group-stage match.

By Farrokh Hesabi

No more excuses: Asian Cup delay puts Ghalenoei’s youth policy to the test

TEHRAN - The postponement of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup has given Iran a new timeline for preparing for the continental competition. But it has also removed one of the main arguments previously used to justify delaying a major generational transition: the limited time between the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Asian Cup.

Former Iran captain Hassan Habibi passes away

TEHRAN – Hassan Habibi, former captain and head coach of Iran’s national football team and former coach of Pas football club, passed away in Tehran after a prolonged illness.

Iranian judo athlete Karimi wins silver at 2026 Youth Olympic Games

TEHRAN – Iran’s Sobhan Karimi claimed the silver medal in the men’s 81kg judo competition at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games after narrowly losing to Slovenia’s Maks Cebulj in the final.

AFC postpones Saudi Arabia’s 2027 Asian Cup

TEHRAN - Following extensive discussions and close consultation with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the upcoming edition of Asia’s crown jewel, originally to be held from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, will now take place from Dec. 23, 2027, to Jan. 21, 2028.

Iran ready for AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 qualifiers

TEHRAN – Iran will play Pakistan in their opening match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 qualifiers.